Washing machine



R. L. GILBERT WASHING MACHINE July 18, 1933.

Filed Dec. 28, 1931 45 ad w REGINALD L. GILBERT.

B MW

ATTC NEY Patented July 18, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE REGINALD L. GILBERT, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO VICTORY WASHER 00., LTI)., OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF CALI- FORNIA.

WASHING MACHINE Application filed December 28, 1931. Serial No. 583,470.

My invention relates to washing machines,

and particularly to washing machines of the type adapted to be secured above a stationary wash tray or tub, and having an agitator which projects down into the tray to accomplish the washing.

The primary purpose of my invention is to provide. a washing machine mechanism wherein the danger of contamination of the wash Water and the materials therein by oil from the mechanism is eliminated. In order to accomplish this primary purpose, among the objects of my invention are: To provide a drive mechanism wherein all direct openings, such as shaft bearings and the like, be-

tween the drive mechanism and the tray or provide a driving mechanism which will impart a smooth anduniform motion to the agitator, starting, stopping and reversing the latter without jerk, and hence with a mini.

mum of noise; and to provide a mechanism which is practically totally enclosed, and.

hence free from danger to the operator.

Other objects of my invention will be apparent or will be specifically pointed out in the description forming a part of this specification, but I do not limit myself to the embodiment of my inventionherein described, as various forms may be adopted Within the scope of the claims.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a washing.

machine embodying my invention, positioned for use upon a stationary wash tray. The wash tray is shown in section, and certain portions of the washing machine mechanism 7 are cut away in order to disclose clearly the.

nature and arrangement of the parts.

Figure 2 is a plan view of a portion of the mechanism shown in Figure l, certain of the parts being shown in section.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional View, on a larger scale, through the drive mechanism.

Figure 4 is a detail view of the Scotch yoke driving mechanism which is utilized to impart a rotary oscillating motion to the agitator.

Of the many types of washing machines which have been devised, perhaps the most successful is that wherein an agitator or dolly, provided with vertically arranged fins, is driven with an oscillating rotary movement within a tub containing a soap solution and the materials to be washed, Two types of drive have, in general, been utilized to operate the agitator. In the first, which is practical only in machines having their own separate tubs, the agitator is driven by a shaft which extends up into the tub through a bearing in the bottom. In the second, utilized principally in connection with tit) stationary wash trays, the driving mechanism is mountedabove the tub or tray, and the dolly or agitator is mounted on a vertical shaft depending from the drive mechanism. With both types of drive the principal difliculty has been in preventing the bearings from leaking. In the first type, even Where packing glands of carefully designed types has been used, a certain amount of leakage around the bearings has occurred from the tube onto the driving mechanism. At best, such leakage spreads over the floor and causes unpleasant Working conditions. At Worst, the Water penetrates the driving mechanism and causes corrosion and faulty lubrication, and shortens the life of the machine.

In the second type of machine, where the drive has been from above, the diflic-ulty has been to prevent lubricating material from working through the bearings. contamimating the wash water, and possibly ruining the materials to be washed. Used lubricat ing oil causes stains which are nearly i1npossible to remove, and much trouble has been caused to manufacturers and users owing to such contamination; a

In the washing machine of my invention troubles from leakage-of bearings are entirely eliminated, while at the same time the advantages of operating all heavy duty parts in a complete bath of oil are attained. Considered broadly, the device comprises an oil reservoir, wholly enclosed at the bottom, i. e., without hearing or other working apertures below the oil level, which encloses mechanical means for producing an oscillating mechanical movement. Mounted below-the reservoir,

where it may come in contact with the wash water, is a bearing of rubber, fabric impregnated with synthetic resin, or other material which is effectively lubricated by water. mounted in this water-lubricated bearing, and a link extends from the agitator shaft, externally of the oil reservoir, connecting through the top of the reservoir with the driving mechanism. The latter preferably comprises a threaded vertical shaft carrying a nut, which is driven by a Scotch yoke with a. vertical reciprocating movement. This causes a rotary oscillation of the shaft,

' the top of which is connected with the top of the agitator shaft by a U-shaped link. A clutch is preferably provided so that the drive shaft and the agitator shaft may be connected or disconnected at will.

The various figures of the drawing show a preferred form of my invention in detail. A stationary wash tray 1 is shown in section, the base or frame 2 of the mechanism, preferably formed of cast aluminum or other like material, resting upon the vertical walls of the tray and. secured thereto by suitable clamps 3. The driving motor 4, mounted on this frame or base, connects through a flexible coupling 5, with a horizontal shaft 6 to which a worm 7 is secured.

A worm wheel 9 meshes with the worm, and is mounted on a horizontal shaft 10 journaled in a plain bearing 11 mounted in the frame 2 of the machine. The shaft 10 carries a sprocket wheel 12, which is free to turn on the shaft except when engaged by the clutch collar 14, the latter being splined on the shaft and operated by a lever 15, acting through a fork 16. V

The sprocket drives a chain 17 which operates a wringer 18, the wringer being thrown into or out of service as desired by means of the clutch lever 15.

Integral with the frame 2 and surrounding the worm and gear is an oil reservoir 18, provided, with an extension or casing 19 enclosing the chain 17 which drives the Wringer. The bottom of this reservoir is entirely closed, the only openings being at the top, and the bearing through which the drive shaft 6 enters. Since the worm engages the worm wheel from above, and since the oil level normally maintained within the reservoir is approximately the center line of the worm wheel shaft 10, practically all danger of oil leakage The agitator shaft of the machine is' from the reservoir is eliminated. Such oil as may escape around the shaft 6 can merely fall to the frame 2, where it is caught and retained and cannot contaminate the water within the tray. A vertical shaft 20 is journaled in the ball bearing 21, set in the bottom of the oil reservoir. This shaft carries a plurality of longpitch threads 22, and its upper end is journaled in a plain bearing 24 carried by the frame 2. A nut 25 engages the threads, and is preferably formed integral with a horizontal track 26 within which a block 27 may slide. This block carries a ball bearing 29, mounted on a crank pin 30 carried by the worm wheel 9. It will be seen that this arrangement constitutes a Scotch yoke movement, the block 27 being moved in a circular path by the pin. The block carries the nut 25 with it insofar as the vertical component of its movement is concerned, but slides horizontally in the guide 26. This imparts a true harmonic movement to the nut, which in turn serves to rotate/the shaft through approximately 180, first in one direction and then in the other, thereby providing the type of oscillatorymovement which has been found most effective in washing machines of this type.

The shaft 20 terminates within the bearing 24. An axial hole 31 is drilled in its upper end, within which is a compression spring 32. Resting on this spring is a short cylindrical plug 34through which passes a transverse pin 35, the ends of the shaft being slotted to receive this pin. In contact with the upper end of the shaft 20 is a short hollow shaft 36, whose lower end is also slotted to receive the pin 35. A ball 37 rests on the upper end of the plug 34 within the shaft 36, and resting on the ball is a cylindrical pin 39 which may be pressed downward by a cam 40 operated by a lever 41.

When the lever 41is moved to the position shown in Figure 1, the pin 39, ball 37 and plug 34are pressed down against the pressure 'of the spring 32, thus disengaging the transverse pin 35 from the slot in the upper shaft, and permitting the shaft 20 to oscillate without moving the shaft, 36. Rotating the lever 41 counterclockwise through 180 re leases the pressure on the plug, whereupon the pin 35 engages the slots in both shafts, and operatively connects the short shaft 36 with the driving mechanism.

Keyed to the. shaft 36 is a link 42, which is shaped like the letter U, greatly extended laterally. This link extends externally of the reservoir 18 from its connection with the driving mechanism to below the reservoir. A boss or hub 44 on the lower end of the link is attached by means of a nut 49 to the agitator or dolly 45. Vithin the boss 44 there is mounted a bearing 43, engaging a stub shaft or pivot 44 which is secured to the bottom of the reservoir. The bearing 43 may be of the self-lubricated type, but is preferably of' fabric impregnated with bakelite or other synthetic resin, semi-soft rubber, or, other material which is satisfactorily lubricated by water. A. number of such materials are well known, and it is therefore unnecessary to cover here the complete range of equivalents, the choice of bearing materialbeing largely a matter of individual judgment on the .part of the designer. the reservoir it will either actually project into the Water in the tub or will be lubricated by the splash therefrom.,

The reservoir 18 is formed with a semicylindrical or slightly more than semi-cylindrical recess in its inner wall which closely encircles. the shaft 20. andthe nut 22, and forms a corresponding projection 46 from the outer wall of the reservoir. The. link 42 travels around this projection, whose conformation permits the link to move through the angle of approximately 180 described by the driving shaft.

A cylindrically shaped guard 47 is secured.

to the front of the reservoir over the oscillating link. The guard completely covers the link, and prevents injury to the operator or the mechanism from fingers or other objects being caught between the link and the reservoir.

It will be seen that the mechanism described comprises two distinct lubricating systems, each entirely isolated from the other. The mechanism within the reservoir may be made of conventional materials, and is thoroughly lubricated and preserved from corrosion by the oil within the reservoir. The main body of this oil never riseshigh enough to leak from the necessary shaft passages. Such oil as is carried by the chain 17, and drips therefrom, is collected by the casing 19 and drains back into the reservoir. The upper bearing 24 of the shaft,20 is lubricated by oil carried to it by the nut 25, but there is no tendency for oil to leak out of this hearing, the normal drainage taking'place back into the reservoir. The only connection between this oil-lubricated mechanism and the water-lubricated agitator shaft occurs wholly without the reservoir, the link 42 having no tendency to carry oil into the tub. As aresult of this separation the danger of contaminating or soiling the materials being washed is reduced to a. minimum.

The method of drive used is also particularly adaptable to this type of mechanism. The Scotch yoke produces a true harmonic motion, which is transmitted as such to the vertical shaft 20. This motion is characterized by gradual acceleration, deceleration, and reversals, so that the pounding which is characteristic of many oscillating drives is almost entirely absent. Furthermore, this construction lends itself to enclosure within a recess of relatively small dimension, so that Since this hearing is below properly it may be allowed to oscillate around the entire mechanism or any desired portion thereof.

Although the top of the reservoir is open to permit the assembly of the machine and for filling or changing oil, a cover 50 is provided which is closed and substantially oiltight except when the machine is being serviced. i

Furthermore it is to be understood that I do not wish to limitthis invention to machines wherein the mechanism is operated in a complete bath of oil, any enclosure or casing forpreventing splash or leakage of oil or grease from the bearings being a reservoiras the term is here used.

. I claim:

1.;A washing, machine mechanism comprising an oil-retaining reservoir, a driving shaft mounted vertically within said reservoir, means within the reservoir for impart- .ing rotational movement to said shaft, a link connecting with the upper end of the shaft and extending downwardly without the reservoir, and a driven shaft driven by said link and mounted belowthereservoir.

2. A washing machine mechanism comprising an oil-retaining reservoir, a driving shaft mounted vertically within said reservoir, means within the reservoir for imparting rotational movement to said shaft, an agitator shaft mounted below the reservoir in line with said driving shaft, and a driving link connecting the upper end of said driving shaft and said agitator shaft and extending between saidshafts without the reservoir.

3. A washing machine mechanism comprising an oil-retaining reservoir, driving means within said reservoir for producing an oscillating mechanical movement, a driven shaft mountedbeneath said reservoir, and means opei'atively connecting said drivenshaft and said driving means externally of said reservoir and attached to said driving means above said reservoir.

4. A washing machine mechanism comprising an oil-retaining reservoir, a driving shaft mounted vertically within said reservoir, means within the reservoir for imparting an oscillating rotational movement to said shaft, a driven shaft mounted below said reservoir, and a substantially U-shaped driving link operatively connecting the upper end of said shafts externally of the reservoir.

5. A washing machine mechanism comprising a vertically mounted shaft, driving means for imparting an oscillating rotary movement to said shaft, an oil-retaining reservoir enclosing said shaft and driving means, one wall of said reservoir having a partially cylindrical recess formed therein 1 to receive said shaft,- an agitator shaft mounted below said reservoir in alinement with said first mentioned shaft, and a substantially U shaped link connecting the tops i of said shafts, whereby said link oscillates about a projection from the outer wall of said reservoir corresponding to said recess.

6. A washing machine mechanism comprising a vertically mounted shaft, driving means for imparting'an oscillating rotary movement to said shaft, an oil-retaining reservoir enclosing said shaft and driving means, one wall of said reservoir having a partially cylindrical recess formed therein to receive said shaft, an agitator shaft mounted below said reservoir in alinement with said first mentioned shaft, a substantially U-shaped link connecting the topsv of said shafts, whereby said link oscillates about a projection from the outer wall of said reservoir corresponding to said recess, and an external guard mounted on said reservoir and covering said projection and link. i v

7-. A washing machine mechanism comprising a vertically mounted shaft, a long pitch thread on said shaft, a nut on said shaft engaging said thread, means for imparting a vertical reciprocating movement to said nut to cause rotary oscillation of said shaft, an oil-retaining reservoir enclosing the aforementioned mechanism and having a recess in the inner wall thereof closely surrounding said shaft and nut, a driven shaft mounted below said reservoir, and a link connecting said driven'shaft and the upper end of said vertically mounted shaft without said reservoir and oscillating around a projection from the outer wall of said reservoir corresponding to said recess.

8. A washing machine mechanism comprising a vertically mounted shaft, a longpitch thread on said shaft, a nut on said shaft engaging said thread, a Scotch yoke movement for imparting a vertical reciprocating movement to. said nut to cause rotary oscillation of'said shaft, an oil-retainingfreservoir enclosing the aforementioned mechanism and having a'recess i'n'th'e inner wall thereof closely surrounding said shaft andnut, a driven shaft mounted below said reservoir, and a link connecting'said agitator and the upper end of said vertlcally mounted shaft Without said reservoir and oscillating around a projection from the outer wall of said reservoir corresponding to said recess.

9. A washing. machine mechanism comprising an oil-retaining reservoir, a shaft mounted vertically within said reservoir in bearings adapted for oil lubricatiom-an agitator shaft mounted below said reservoir in a bearingadapted for water lubrication, and a link extending externally of said reservoir and" oper'ativelyconnecting the top of said first mentioned shaft and said agitator shaft.

10. A washing machinemechanism comprising an oil-retaining reservoir, a shaft mounted vertically within said reservoir, means for imparting an oscillating rotary movement to said shaft, a link connecting to the upper end of said shaft and extending downwardly without: the reservoir, said reservoir being shaped to permit the oscillating rotation of said link,'a guard covering said link and mounted on said reservoir, a bearing adapted for water lubrication supported by said reservoir in line with said shaft, and an agitator shaft journaled in said bearing and operatively connected with said link. 11. A washing machine comprising an-oillubricated driving mechanism, an oil-retaining reservoir having an entirely closed bottom surrounding said mechanism, a waterluhrieated bearing mounted below said reservoir, driven mechanism below said reservoir j ournaled in said bearing, and means'extendingfrom above said reservoir and externally thereof and operatively connecting said driving mechanism and said driven mechanism.

12. A washing machine adapted to be mounted above a stationary wash tray to wash materials placed within the tray comprising a frame adapted for niountingabove said tray, an oil-retaining reservoir having a closed bottom mounted on said frame, driving mechanism enclosed within said reservoir, a-bearing of material adapted for water lubrication mounted beneath said reservoir and positioned to receive lubrication from washing water in the tra*, a driven shaft journaled in said bearing, and means extending from above said reservoir and externally thereof and operatively connecting said driving mechanism and said driven shaft.

13. A washing machine mechanism comprising an oil-retaining reservoir, a driving shaft'mounted vertically within said reservoir, means within the reservoir for imparting an oscillating rotational. movement to said shaft, a driven shaft mounted below said reservoir, a link extending from above said reservoir and extending ext rnally thereof to said driven shaft, and a clutch operative to engage and disengage said driving shaft and said link.

' REGINALD L. GILBERT. 

